An Essential Guide to a Winter move to Toronto

Moving to from one place to another is quite a heckle, even in a nice country such as Canada. What’s even worse, you may have to move during notoriously harsh Canadian winters. Not only is it an inconvenience, but it can also be dangerous – slippery highways can and do contribute to fatal accidents. Here are some general guidelines on how to move to Toronto during winter without a single accident.

1. Contact a reliable company

You may encounter a temptation to cut costs by doing it yourself. Keep in mind, though, that you will most likely have to hit the road several times, thereby increasing the risk of property damage or even personal injury. A professional, reliable company will make sure to take care of your property well enough, so that no harm is done. A driver with some experience is much more adept at hauling heavy stuff through less than optimal conditions.

2. If you’re moving by yourself, secure your vehicle

Eventually, you may decide to put some of your stuff into your car’s trunk, so the company doesn’t charge you as much. On the other hand, this means that not only do you have to worry about the cargo, but also your own safety. Every time you’re taking a longer trip during winter you should make sure that you:

• Have a fully charged car battery before you hit the road;
• Repair your ignition system, brakes and lights if you need to. Faulty brakes may even cause your car to spin out of control;
• Check tire pressure outdoors: a tire that has good pressure inside a garage will not be properly inflated. Also, make sure you have matching tires.

3. Mind the weather conditions!

In order to pinpoint when do you exactly want to move, you have to make sure that the conditions are as optimal as they can be. For example, you should look up what the weather will be like during the day of moving. Canadian winters are known to be particularly harsh, so you may also want to check the Canadian Public Weather Alerts for good measure.
Additionally, you may want to keep a stack of winter supplies in the car. For example, you may use a battery-powered heater instead of the AC, in order to save engine power and lower consumption. Another good idea is to have a windshield scraper on you at all times. Also, a pair of warm mittens will keep your hands ward.

4. No matter what you do, protect your valuables

You are not willing to part with that expensive porcelain set you received as a gift. Yet, you do not want a careless driver to break it. What you have to do is make sure you secure it against bumpy roads and sudden braking. For example, your plates and glasses will break if exposed to extreme temperature – something that Toronto doesn’t lack. When you stack them in a box, you can put old newspapers or plastic foil between them. That way, you can soften the concussion they will take should a sudden braking occur.
YouTube member HomemadeEntepreneur has made a video on how to pack fragile stuff, be sure to check it out:

5. Start early

One of the bigger difficulties you will experience is the lack of daylight. As the world moves towards a winter solstice, days grow shorter and colder. Driving through the night does not only make you tired and negatively affect your mood, but is also dangerous. All living organisms on Earth are adapted to predictable daylight-nighttime cycles. When those cycles change, so does our emotional and physical well-being. You should optimally begin moving at sunrise, maybe even before, to make the most out of your day. Keep in mind that you need a good night’s sleep for such a task – usually eight hours, but the more, the better.

6. Keep snow and ice off your walkway

Imagine this: You have to haul all the heavy stuff to the vehicle parked in your front yard. The trip to the vehicle and back isn’t long, but it’s cold and slippery. The big wardrobe you’re lugging all the way there will likely fall on you causing significant injury. Walking on slippery paths is very dangerous when you aren’t carrying anything. You may suffer head trauma, a broken rib, a concussion or something even worse. Fractures account for about a half of those injuries and driving over slippery roads is a huge risk factor. If you feel unsure about:

• Your driving skills and competence;
• The weather – especially extreme conditions;
• Your vehicle’s reliability;
• Any health condition that you might have;
• Road conditions in general,

Do not start driving. Your schedule, your plans and your time are of great value, but so is your life.

 7. Enjoy the good sides!

Yes, you heard that right. Many families choose to move during the summer – the kids are out of school, the weather is warm and welcoming, the days are longer, so the overall atmosphere is more relaxed. There are some distinct advantages of moving during winter:

• Lower prices: the basic principle of economics states that the price is determined by demand. Higher demand means higher prices. The demand for moving services is at it’s lowest during winter;
• Flexible schedule: the moving companies have way more time on their hands during winter;
• Moving companies may offer you personalized serviced or higher service quality for the same price;
• Rural landscapes covered in snow make wonderful scenery;

To sum it up, it may not be as bad as you think. There are downsides, to be sure, and precautions to be taken, however, if you follow these few easy steps and keep a cool head (no pun intended), it will make your trip less of a downer.